We Need A Little Christmas

 We were out and about today, actually headed to the mall. It was a dreary December day - rainy and cold. It's that time of year when you can feel the collective angst as people feel like time is running out (along with money). As we rode along, I told Bunny that I felt as though we had lost a lot that was special this year. The crushing loss of her dear sweet Mother combined with having to say goodbye to our friend Henley the Great Dane has been hanging over us like a cloud - a dark one.


"For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,..."

...says the song, and it's true. Well, except for the "leaner" part.

I've seen it in others over the years as a pastor and now I'm catching a whiff of it myself. It's the tendency to look back instead of looking forward, of swapping hope for memories, of believing that there's less joy ahead than there has been before. Bunny and I love our family. We love our church family. We love where we live and what we do. But it's been a tough year.

So yes, we need a little Christmas, right this very minute.

Thank God for a chance to worship Christ at New Hope later today.

A Gathering Storm

One of the things I most value is peace.

For me that equates to time to pray, to think, to dream, to imagine - to listen.

It is looking like God has other plans this week.

So I stop now and pray.

Abba. Father.

I come as a child today.

I have precious little to offer you

But what I have, I give to you completely.

Help me to rely on Your strength and wisdom.

Give me Your heart, Your eyes.

Let me be found today in total reliance on You.

Let me find refuge and strength in You.

My rock. My Redeemer.

My Lord.

Amen.

Thin Places, Beautiful Faces

We're in Macon's Medical center of Central Georgia as I write this. Bunny's by the bedside of the woman who carried her for nine months and who modeled faith, grace, kindness and compassion to her all her life.

It's been a week of amazing glimpses of just how God works, despite the mess a sin soaked world presents as "life." We've heard some heart-wrenching words, and some that were as joy filled as any I have ever had occasion to overhear. There's been devastation, and there's been hope. And now, there's the knowledge that we are as close as we can be, doing all we can.

The ancient Celts used to talk about "thin places." They thought that certain features of the landscape - ancient oaks. mountains, beautiful rivers or ocean vistas were sometimes places where one could feel the very presence of God.

Well, I sit in a chair on a tile floor. To my right - a sink with various means of scrubbing the germs off. In front of me is the dry erase board with the date and the names of the nurse and aide. Nothing remarkable there. Nothing to inspire, or even remind you of a present God. Instead of the roar of ocean waves or the gentle rustle of oak leaves, I hear the air mattress compressor and the sounds of a hospital.

There's nothing lovely here... except the faces of two of the women who have taught me so much about what it means to have real "God will provide", "Satan is that the best you can do", "O death where is your sting", "This is not the end," - FAITH.

In this room, God is present - available - tangible --- right now.

and I am simply in awe of Him

and grateful for these two precious gifts.

Take A Breath

We got back home tonight after a punishing trip to Macon to encourage Bunny's Mom. Both of us are worn out.

We've got stuff waiting to do though, so we'll get back after it tomorrow.

Spend your time voting or something. :)

Hard Pressed

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
2 Cor 4:7-10 (NLT)

There's a tendency in many of us to maintain the idea that we can handle life on our own. For some, it comes out of a prideful spirit that doesn't let anyone else within the small circle of people we trust. For others, it might be a sense of responsibility - that this is my role, my job, my place to handle this, and I don't need to burden others with it.

Neither has any place within the life of a Christian. For we are never alone and our lives are connected with God's purposes through the Holy Spirit Who dwells within. That same Spirit leads us into community with other "called out" ones and into a group called the church.

Paul makes it clear in the passage of Scripture where his power comes from. He does not minimize his frailty as so many of us do when hard pressed "I can handle it. I don't need anyone's help."

Instead, he admitted he was in trouble and that he didn't understand fully the reasons for that trouble.

And he counted on God. God's presence. God's power. God's purpose and plan.

That's where we need to be found.

Hard pressed? Sure.

But dearly loved.

Be Careful Out There

Right now my wife Bunny is in Macon, Georgia spending 24/7 in a chilly hospital room with her mother Dot. Her Mom seems to be rallying somewhat since Bunny got there, but the strain on Bunny is fierce. I've been praying for her almost every waking minute and plan on heading up there as soon as I can.

In a little while I'll have a conference call with my brother and an attorney concerning what we hope might be a settlement in the probate of my father's will that has gone on since September 2006. I'm praying that my brother and I would see as Jesus sees, and see in unity so we can put this behind us. We are united to see my father's wishes be done.

This afternoon I have another call with my mentor for the Rockbridge class on worship that concludes today. We'll go over the class, what I learned, and he'll suggest ways I can continue to grow in that vital area. I'm praying for wisdom and discernment for both of us.

Then Bunny and I are trying to purchase a new vehicle. It's been 7 years and we've had a good run with our Kia, but our requirements are for a vehicle we can get into an expect to drive anywhere at anytime, even carrying our Great Dane with us if it looks like we will be there a while. Paperwork is rushing at me, dealers are calling me, and I need to get it done and get up to Macon. So I'm praying.

Then there's the future. We are praying about what God would have us do for Him, and how we can get more "life" in our life together as a couple and as a family. Being so deeply invested in a dream called New Hope brings awesome rewards and requires serious sacrifices. What does God want us to do with the rest of our time in ministry and beyond? I know I feel the call to pastor, to write, and to teach. I know I am passionately in love with my wife and can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. I know I love my sons fiercely, and want to continue to be a part of their lives as they move deeper into adulthood. So I pray.

Did I mention this is my day off? LOL

"Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course He's not safe. But He's good. He's the King, I tell you."

Yes He is. And in Him I place my trust.

Another Reminder

The video.
The facts.
It is like herding cats.
You'd better love God.
You'd better love the people.
You'd better know you are going to get hurt.
You'd better decide right now that it's worth it.

It is. But it still leaves scars sometimes. And not just on the cowboys.